Since Prohibition of Smoking: Discos Stink

The number of complaints about bad smells in restaurants and coffee shops has increased greatly since the prohibition of smoking in these places. It seems that the smoke often masked the smell of alcohol and body odors. A study of 850 discos by industrial designer Dirk-Jan Oudshoorn of the Technical University in Delft found that spraying orange scent in the discos causes visitors to stay longer, dance more and enjoy the evening better.
www.parool.nl/parool/nl/12/CULTUUR/article/detail/235786/2009/04/07/Sinaasappel-verdrijft-stank-in-disco.dhtml

Ministry Unable to Solve Banking Problems of Sex Businesses

The Ministry of Justice has written to the organization of operators of “relaxation” businesses that it cannot help sex entrepreneurs when banks refuse to deal with them. The ministry suggests that they take the banks to court.
www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nederland/article2378179.ece/Ministerie_helpt_seksbedrijven_niet.html

Amsterdam: Violence Major Security Problem

The main security problem in Amsterdam is violence of pleasure seekers. Since 2003 the number of violent incidents has increased by 74%. These data have been published by the Amsterdam Center neighborhood council. According to a study last year by the Institute for Security and Crisis Management (COT) most perpetrators are white people who are over 25 years old. Moroccans are the next largest group of perpetrators.
www.trouw.nl/nieuws/nederland/article2378003.ece/Geweld_bij_uitgaan_fors_toegenomen__.html

Rutte: Give Bus Drivers Pepper Spray to Defend Themselves

Mark Rutte, leader of the Liberal Party (VVD) wants to allow bus drivers to use pepper spray to defend themselves against violence in public transport. His party says that such violence must be brought to an end. In recent weeks there were a number of incidents in which bus drivers, and also train personnel, were wounded.
www.parool.nl/parool/nl/224/BINNENLAND/article/detail/235219/2009/04/05/Rutte-pepperspray-voor-buschauffeur.dhtml

Economic Crisis in Red Light District

Prices for prostitution in the Amsterdam red light district have fallen sharply due to the economic crisis. The number of clients has decreased. At the same time rents have gone up. Metje Blaak of the Red Thread organization of prostitutes says that, if they come at all, clients bargain heavily. www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3645294/__Prijzen_rosse_buurt_kelderen__.html

Media Provide Stereotypes on Sex to Youngsters

A study by the Rutgers Nisso Groep has found that the media provide a stereotypical picture of sex activity among young people. Boys always want sex and it is the duty of girls to set a limit on it. This attitude is now strongly adopted among youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17.
www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1175354.ece/Porno_terwijl_ze_thuis_niks_leren

Economic Crisis Increases Consumption of Sleeping Pills

S. van Eick, chairman of the National Organization of General Practitioners, says that Dutch doctors have increased prescriptions of benzodiazepines, which are sedatives and also used as sleeping pills. This is the result of the economic crisis which causes people to have sleeping problems, due to worry about losing their job.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3629055/__Meer_slaappillen_door_crisis__.html?p=36,2